A Psychiatric Nursing Course for LPN Students, aligned with the NCLEX-PN Test Plan, focuses on the care of clients with mental health disorders, emphasizing safe and effective care environments, psychosocial integrity, and pharmacological therapies. Key areas include:
- Mental Health Concepts – Understanding therapeutic communication, coping mechanisms, defense mechanisms, and the nursing process in psychiatric care.
- Common Psychiatric Disorders – Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and substance use disorders.
- Crisis Intervention & Therapeutic Communication – De-escalation techniques, therapeutic responses, and recognizing suicide/self-harm risks.
- Psychotropic Medications – Classes of medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers), side effects, and nursing considerations.
- Legal & Ethical Considerations – Involuntary commitment, patient rights, confidentiality (HIPAA), and abuse reporting.
- Behavioral Interventions – Milieu therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, and reinforcement strategies.
- Collaboration & Safety – Working with the healthcare team, preventing restraints/seclusion use, and recognizing signs of escalating behavior.